The report gives results of a preliminary technical/economic evaluation to project the impact of SO2 control requirements (up to 90% control) on the capital and energy costs of atmospheric-pressure and pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (AFBC and PFBC) power plants. Ability of AFBC and PFBC to reduce emissions of particulates and NOx is also considered. Performance and economic projections are presented, both for the current New Source Performance Standards and for more stringent controls; the AFBC and PFBC projections are compared with equivalent projections for conventional boilers with flue gas desulfurization. The projections show that AFBC and PFBC plants can achieve SO2 control up to at least 90%, and still remain economically competitive with conventional boilers using scrubbers. However, FBC plant design and operating parameters are critical to the achievement of high levels of SO2 control at competitive energy costs. In particular, increased gas residence time in the bed, and reduced sorbent particle size, are important in effective attainment of high levels of SO2 control. The projections of FBC performance at 90% SO2 removal must be confirmed experimentally on FBC units large enough to be representative of commercial-scale combustors.

Prepared for Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development. Contract no. 68-02-2132, program element no. EHE623A. "August 1978." "EPA/600-7-78-163." Includes bibliographical references.